Three Santa Cruz teens plead no contest in March stabbing

SANTA CRUZ - Three teenagers charged in a March stabbing in Santa Cruz pleaded no contest to attempted murder Monday and will be sentenced March 28.

Julio Cesar Carrera, 16, who prosecutor Charlie Baum alleged was the stabber, is expected to be sentenced to 15 years in state prison.

Carrera also pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor for participation in a gang and admitted the special allegation that the stabbing was committed in furtherance of a gang.

Jorge Luis Cruz, 17, and Luis Garcia, 16, pleaded no contest to the same charges. They're expected to be sentenced to seven years in state prison.

Cruz originally was expected to plea sooner, but the court date had to be postponed because he was attacked in Juvenile Hall and had to be hospitalized for his injuries.

Eight teenagers were arrested in connection with attacking an 18-year-old Sacramento as he was walking near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with his girlfriend in March. The victim told police the boys asked him about his gang affiliation before they chased him down and stabbed him four times.

Baum charged four of the teens as juveniles, including one teen suspected of attempting to destroy evidence afterward.

Another teen charged as an adult, 17-year-old Jorge Puga, pleaded no contest to felony attempted murder and misdemeanor gang participation on Dec. 31. He will be sentenced to five years in state prison next month.